I mean it's the parent's choice as far as how to raise the child. I'm pretty sure I know how I'm going to raise my child as far as religion is concerned... let them decide when the get old enough to grasp the concept of religion. I'm not going to force any particular religion or lack there of on my child. I'll obviously attempt to instill a good set of morals, but if they want to go to church, i'll take them, if they want to go with a friend, I'll let them, if they don't want to go, then they don't have to.

count2infinity wrote:I mean it's the parent's choice as far as how to raise the child. I'm pretty sure I know how I'm going to raise my child as far as religion is concerned... let them decide when the get old enough to grasp the concept of religion. I'm not going to force any particular religion or lack there of on my child. I'll obviously attempt to instill a good set of morals, but if they want to go to church, i'll take them, if they want to go with a friend, I'll let them, if they don't want to go, then they don't have to.

Right. I see what your saying but I have a problem with instilling a growing brain with nihilism. I think its physiologically damaging to the mind.

If its true that we are all from the center of a star, every atom in each of us, then we are all the same thing. Even a coke machine or a cigarette butt on the street in buffalo is made from atoms recycled millions of times. Same as you and I, so therefore its only me out there, therefore there is nothing to be afraid of and nothing that needs solace seeking.

columbia wrote:I don't seek an explanation for my existence, but certainly don't spend my time rejecting that which provides fulfillment or meaning.

I am mentally incapable maybe physiologically incapable of making peace with the fact that there is no explanation. I won't bring any other life into this world because of that, maybe I really am mentally damaged.

I suppress the thought, daily.

Last edited by Godric on Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

count2infinity wrote:but it's okay to instill the idea that "we're right, everyone else is wrong, don't question it?" and i realize you haven't said any of this directly, but indirectly you seem to imply it.

well, i don't think that you do it that way. And i doubt that the girl will do it that way either... we tell the kids that there's santa claus, the easter bunny, the tooth fairy even though we (well, most) don't believe they truly exist for the sake of letting a kid be a kid.

I'm not thrilled with the idea of teaching a child any one view of religion/metaphysics/meaning of existence/etc. I think its only natural to explain your own beliefs to your children; however, I think its important that other alternative/opposing views be discussed as well. Hopefully one allows one's child to ultimately make his/her own choice on the matter.

I'm not thrilled with the idea of teaching a child any one view of religion/metaphysics/meaning of existence/etc. I think its only natural to explain your own beliefs to your children; however, I think its important that other alternative/opposing views be discussed as well. Hopefully one allows one's child to ultimately make his/her own choice on the matter.

columbia wrote:I don't seek an explanation for my existence, but certainly don't spend my time rejecting that which provides fulfillment or meaning.

I am mentally incapable maybe physiologically incapable of making peace with the fact that there is no explanation. I won't bring any other life into this world because of that, maybe I really am mentally damaged.

I suppress the thought, daily.

It took me a long time to not be paralyzed with fear when thinking about the nothingness that likely awaits us all after death (kind of awkard to say that since we don't "experience" the nothingness). I think its the scariest thought imaginable. That said, just the fear of it has not provided any reasons for me to reject the notion. Ultimately, though, the "absurdity" of life has led me to live life the way I do -- madly -- and it has made me relish the idea of being able to create another life which can experience the miraculousness and beauty of life, no matter how fleeting it may be.

it's gonna be tricky with my future kids. my wife is a catholic, and i'm an athiest who doesn't lie when asked straightforward questions. i don't mind raising my kids catholic, and i'll accompany them to church, but if i get some questions from a 6 year old about heaven and jesus and whatever other supernatural business is brought up in their day-to-day life, i don't know how i'm going to answer. it'll be a lot of work.